Hydraulically powered waste disposal device

ABSTRACT

A waste disposal device having a comminuting chamber containing comminuting means powered by a hydraulic motor. Water efflux from the motor enters the chamber to aid passage of waste through the chamber. The disclosed comminuting means embodies a fixed comminuting member and a coacting oscillatory comminuting member driven in oscillation by a positive displacement oscillatory rotary vane hydraulic motor. Water flow to and from the hydraulic chamber spaces at opposite sides of the rotor vane is controlled by a reversing valve operated by the rotor at the ends of its oscillatory stroke in such a way that the rotor is driven in oscillation without stalling. The comminuting cutters of the disposal device have improved comminuting elements which provide a superior and powerful waste comminuting action.

[ 51 Oct. 24, 1972 Robert Louis Finkel ABSTRACT v 7 Claims, l1 Drawing Figures 1 vsss United States Patent Verley Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr.

[54] HYDRAULICALLY POWERED WASTE- Attorney- DISPOSAL DEVICE A waste disposal device having a comminuting chamber containing comminuting means powered by a hydraulic motor. Water efflux from the motor enters [22] Filed:

Feb. 6, 1970 the chamber to aid passage of waste through the chamber. The disclosed comminuting means embodies [21] Appl. No.: 9,192

a fixed comminuting member and a coacting oscillatory comminuting member driven in oscillation by a 141/46 241/46-13 positive displacement oscillatory rotary vane hydraulic [51] Int. motor water flow to and from the hydraulic chamber spaces at opposite sides of the rotor vane is controlled 241/257 G .B02c 18/42 ..24l/42, 46 R, 46 B, 46.13,

[58] Field of Search........

241/162 G by a reversing valve operated by the rotor at the ends of its oscillatory stroke in such a way that the rotor is [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS driven in oscillation without stalling. The comminuting cutters of the disposal device have improved comminuting elements which provide a superior and powerful waste comminuting action.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of waste disposal and more particularly to a hydraulically powered waste disposal device of the class commonly referred to as garbage disposals.

2. Prior Art Conventional waste disposal devices of the class described have a housing with a comminuting chamber containing comminuting means, and a waste inlet and outlet opening tothe ends of the chamber. The device is installed below a sink with the waste inlet of the device opening upwardly to the sink drainand the waste outlet opening downwardly to a drain line.

The comminuting means of the existing waste disposal devices comprise a comminuting rotor powered by an electric motor. The type" ofcomminuting meansis characterized by certain disadvantages which the present invention overcomes. One of these disadvantages is relatively high cost due to the cost of the motor. Moreover, the motors used in waste disposal devices have relatively low starting torque. As a consequence, the motors are prone to stalling when started with waste in the comminuting chamber. When such stalling occurs, the thermal overload switch on the motor will cut out unless the motor is turned off 3 promptly. The thermal overload switch must then be reset. Resetting of this switch is inconvenient and troublesome to the. average housewife. In addition, restarting of the waste disposal device generally requires freeing of the jammed comminuting rotor by reaching into the comminuting chamber and removing waste from about the rotor.

Efficient operation of a waste disposal device requires flushing of waste from the comminuting chamber by running water through the chamber. With the existing disposal devices, flush water is obtained by turning on the sink tap. This method of flushing is inconvenient, at times, as for example when dishes or other articles are being soaked in the sink with the sink drain closed.

Installation of a conventional motor powered waste disposal device is also quite costly and time-consuming. This is due to the'necessity of providing sheathed wires for conveying electrical power to the disposer motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION chamber continuously during operation of the device.

The positive displacement action of the motor provides a high starting torque which renders the comminuting means virtually immune to jamming and stalling even when started with waste in the comminuting chamber.

Since the waste disposal device is hydraulically powered, the need for electrical wiring is eliminated and installation of the device is vastly simplified.

The disclosed embodiment of the invention has a stationary comminuting cutter and an oscillatory comminuting cutter, or rotor, of unique design which produces a superior comminuting action. The comminuting rotor is driven in oscillation by an oscillatory radial vane hydraulic motor of relatively simple lowcost construction. The motor embodies a unique rotor actuated reversing valve for reversing the water connections to the motor chambers at the ends of the rotor stroke to cause oscillation of the rotor. The unique arrangement of this valve and its method of actuation assure virtually stall-proof operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a verticalsection through a sink installation equipped with a hydraulic waste disposal device accordingto the invention;

. FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the disposal device;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 33 in FIG. 2;

. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2; I l

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 2;-

6 is a section takenon line 6 -6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view, in reduced scale, similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 and illustrating the motor reversing valve in one position;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the valve in its opposite position;

FIG. '9 is a section taken on line 9-9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a section taken on line 10l0 in FIG. 8;

and Q I FIG. Ilis an exploded viewof the disposal-device.

D SCRIPTION oF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT movable comminuting member or cutter 24, and a wiper 26. Operatively connected to the movable cutter and wiper 24 is a hydraulic motor 28 for driving the cutter and wiper in their waste comminuting motion. Water under pressure is supplied to the motor 28 to power the latter through a water inlet 30. The water efflux from the motor emerges through a water outlet 32. According to one feature-of the invention, the water outlet 32 communicates to the comminuting chamber 18, in this instance through a conduit 34, whereby water from the motor enters the chamber to flush. waste through the chamber. According to another feature of the invention, the hydraulic motor 28 is a positive displacement motor capable of developing high starting torque in order to render the motor immune to stalling, even when started up with waste in, the comminuting chamber 18.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, the housing 12 has a lower generally cup-shaped portion 36 with an annular side wall 38 and a bottom wall 40. The

. 3 waste outlet 16 is provided by a lower coupling sleeve 42 depending concentrically from the bottom wall 40.

Extending across the open top of the lower housing depending from the underside of the upper wall 44 is an annular flange 54. This annular flange terminates a distance above the lower housing wall 40. Threaded in the upper end of the flange 54 is a coupling sleeve 56 which provides the waste inlet 14. The top wall 44 and coupling sleeve 56 are sealed to one another by a seal ring 58. As shown best in FIG. 2, the lower interior surface of the housing flange 54 is conically tapered to a decreasing diameter in the downward direction.

The stationary comminuting cutter 22 is essentially a circularplate which is removably fitted in the lower endof the housing flange 54, and keyed against turning by interfittinglugs and notches 60 on the plate and flange. As shown best in FIG. 3, the cutter plate 26 has a ,wheellike configuration including spokes 62 extending radially between a central hub 64 and an outer rim- 66 and defining intervening openings 68. Extending radially across these openings are comminuting blades 69. Rising from certain of the-spokes 62 are waste comminuting protrusions 70: All of these protrusions are radially spaced the same distance from the center of the plate.

Referring to FIG. 4, the movable cutter 24 will be seen to beessentially the same wheel-like configuration as the stationary cutter 22. Thus, the movable cutter is a circular plate having spokes 72 extending radially between a central hub 74 and-an outer rim 76. Spokes 72 define intervening openings 78. Extending radially across the openings are comminuting blades 80. Rising from certain of thespokes are comminuting protrusions 82. These protrusions are arranged in radially stub shaft 90 tosecure the movable cutter to the shaft.

The stub shaft is'axially dimensioned so that the upper surface of the movable cutter bears slidably against the undersurface of the stationary cutter spokes 62 are clearance notches 102 for movable cutter protrusions inner and outer sets. The protrusions of each set are The lower edge portion of the wiper flares outwardly to define cutting edges 86. Wiper 26'extends diametrically across the upper side of the stationary cutter plate 22 with the lower edge surface of the wiper in sliding contact with the upper surface of the plate. The ends of the wiper are tapered at the same angle as and disposed in closed proximity to or sliding contact with the inner tapered wall of the housing flange 54. Entering the lower edge of the wiper are clearance slots 88 for the comminuting protrusions on the stationary cutter plate 22.

Depending from the center of the lower wiper edge is a stub shaft 90 having an upper cylindrical journal portion 92 and a lower rectangular portion 94. Journal portion 92 tits rotatably within concentric journal bearing 96 in the stationary cutter 22. The lower rectangular portion 94 fits slidably within a mating concentric opening 98 in the, movable cutter 24. A screw 100 mounting a washer is threaded in the lower end of the It is evidentfrom the preceding description that the movable. cutter 24 and wiper 26 are keyed to one another for'rotation in unison relative to the stationary cutter 22 on the common axis 103 of the cutters, the comminuting chamber- 18, and the housing flange 5.4. The clearance notches 88,1102 in the wiper and the stationary cutter provide clearance for the comminuting protrusions 70,82 during this rotation.

Turning now to the hydraulic motor 28, the latter is a positive displacement oscillating radial vane motor. The motor includes a rotor 104 having an annular body 106' of approximately the same inside and outside diameters as the lower end-of the housing flange 54. The rotor is positioned between they lower end of the flange and-the housing bottom wall 40 in concentric relation to the common axis 103. Rising from the bottom wall 40 in sliding contact with the inner surface of the rotor body 106 is an annular bearing flange 108 which serves as a radial bearing for the motor rotor 104. The end faces of the rotor body 106 bear slidably against and are sealed by sealing rings 110 to the bottorn wall 40 and the end face of the housing flange 54.

The annular space 1 12bounded by the housing walls 38, 40,44, the housing flange 54, and the rotor body 106 defines a hydraulic chamber for the motor 28. Disposed in a radial plane of and fixed to the outer surface of the rotor body 106 is a radial vane 114. The edges of this'vane are disposed in substantial fluid sealing relation to the wall of the hydraulic chamber 112. From this description, it will be understood that the motor rotor-104, comprising the rotor body 106 and the vane ll4,is rotatable in the lower end of the housing 12 which provides a motor chamber. During this rotation, the rotorvane moves circumferentially about the hydraulic chamber 1 12. I

The rotary cutter or comminuting rotor-24 is fixed to the motor. rotor 104 for rotation therewith-To this end, the rotary cutter is dimensioned tofit slidably within an upper counterbore in the motor rotor and is keyed to thelatter body by rigid drive tongues 116 which depend from the rotary cutter intoaxial grooves 118 in the inner surface of the rotor body.

Integrally joined to the undersurface of the housing top wall 44 and to the outer surface of the housing flange 54, and extending radially out from the flange into sealing contact with the housing side wall 38, is a radial wall 120. This radial wall divides the hydraulic chamber 112 into separate chamber spaces 112a, ll2b at opposite sides of the motor vane 114. Extending laterally of this wall between the chamber spaces is an opening 122 slidably receiving a motor reversing valve 124. The water inlet 30 of the hydraulic motor 28 comprises an inlet passage which opens upwardly through the bottom housing wall 40 into the valve opening 122. The water outlet 32 comprises an outlet passage which extends downwardly through the radial wall 120and opens downwardly to the valve opening 122. The illustrated discharge conduit 34 is a 90 elbow extending between the upper end of theoutlet 32 and the upper housing coupling sleeve 12. Water emerging from the motor through the outlet is discharged into'the comminuting chamber 18 above the stationary cutter 22.

As shown best in FIGS. 9 and 10, the motor reversing valve 124 has a body which is externally sized and shaped to fit slidably within the valve opening 122. The

valve body has a central wall 126 in a longitudinal medial plane of the body parallel to the bottom housing wall 40. Depending from the underside of the central wall 126 along its side edges and its transverse center line are walls 128, 129. These walls define passages 130,132 which open through the bottom of the valve body toward the water inlet 30 and through the ends of the valve body to the hydraulic chamber spaces 112a, 112b, respectively. Rising from the upper side of the central valve body wall 126 along its side and end edges are walls 134, 136. The latter walls define a passage 138 which opens only through the upper. side of the valve body. The upper valve end walls 136 have projecting shoulders 140 which are engageable with the radial housing wall 120 to limit endwise movement of the valve 124 to its position of FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring to the latter Figures, it will be seen that when the valve 124 occupies its position of FIG. 9, the hydraulic chamber space 112a of the motor 28 communicates with the water inlet 30 through the lower valve passage 132 and hydraulic chamber space 112b communicates with the water outlet 32 through the upper valve passage 138. When the valve occupies its position of FIG. 10, chamber space 112b communicates with the water inlet 30 through the lower valve passage 130 and the chamber space 112a communicates with the water outlet 32 through the upper valve passage 138.

The valve 124 is shifted between its positions of FIGS. 9 and by the motor rotor 104 at the ends of its oscillatory stroke. To this end, the rotor vane 114 carries a pair of compression springs 142, 144 in positions to engage the ends of the valve as the rotor approaches the ends of its stroke.

The operation of the waste disposal device 10 will now be explained. The device is conditioned for operation-by installing it below a sink 146 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. When thus installed the upper waste inlet 14 of the device connects to the sink drain, the lower waste outlet 16 connects to a drain pipe 148, and the water inlet 30 connects to a water supply pipe 150 containing a shut-off valve 152 with a readily accessible operating handle 154. The waste disposal device is started by opening the shut-off valve 152. Assuming the motor reversing valve 124 is initially in its position of FIG. 9, the high pressure water entering through the inlet 30 flows into the hydraulic chamber space 112a and exerts pressure on the vane 114 of the hydraulic motor rotor 104 to drive the latter in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 7. The rotor continues to turn in this direction until the rotor spring 144 engages the left end of the valve 124 in FIG. 9 and then of the rotor 104 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 8 under the force of the water pressure on the rotor vane 114. Water is then displaced from chamber space 112a through the valve passage 138 and water outlet 32. Rotation of the rotor 104 in this direction continues until the rotor spring 142 engages the right hand end of the valve in FIG. 10 and then shifts the valve back to its position of FIG. 9. The action then repeats. Thus; the rotor 104, and hence the rotary com- .minuting cutter or rotor 24 and wiper 26, are driven with an oscillatory motion.

In connection with the above reversing action of the valve 124, it is evident that both water pressure and static friction tend to retain the valve in each of its two positions of FIGS. 9 and 10. Accordingly, initial encounter of a rotor spring 142, 144 with the valve compresses the spring. Owing to the larger effective area of the motor vane 114 than that of the valve, the force exerted through the spring on the valve eventually becomes sufficient to crack or initiate movement of the valve from its current position toward its opposite position. This eliminates the static friction and reduces the water pressure on the valve. The strain energy stored in the currently compressed spring 142, 144 then return the spring to its normal extended condition, thereby impelling the valve 124 to its opposite position. Stalling of the motor 28 as a result of the valve assuming a stationary mid-position is thereby avoided.

Returning to the comminuting means 20, the oscillatory motion of the rotary cutter 24 and wiper 26 with the motor rotor 104 and relative to the fixed cutter 22 is effective cut or chop waste contained within the comminuting chamber 18. The comminuted waste gravitates through the cutter openings 68,78 to the waste outlet 16. Passage of the waste through the chamber is aided by the water efflux from the motor 28 which enters the chamber above the cutters through the elbow 34 and then flows downwardly through the chamber and the cutters to the waste outlet 16.

Relative to the comminuting action of the comminuting means 20, the inclined faces 84 of the oscillating wiper 26 force waste downwardly toward the fixed cutter 22. The wiper edges 86 oscillate back and forth over the fixed cutter and cooperate with its spokes 62, blades 69, and protrusions to initially comminute the waste. The partially comminuted waste gravitates through the fixed cutter openings 68 and encounters the oscillatory cutter 24. The blades and protrusions 82 of the latter cutter then cooperate with the fixed cutter to finally comminute the waste. Owing to the positive displacement action of the motor 28, the present waste disposal device has a very powerful comminuting action which renders the device immune to jamming and stalling, even when started with waste in the comminuting chamber 18.

What is claimed is:

1. A hydraulic waste disposal device comprising:

a generally cylindrical housing having a waste inlet, a waste outlet, and an intervening comminution chamber;

a cutter extending across said chamber, comprising a circular cutting plate having openings therein through which waste passes, and adapted for rotational oscillatory motion on the central longitudinal axis of said chamber;

hydraulic'motor means for driving said cutter, comprising a rotor having an annular body secured to the outer edge of said cutter plate for concentric rotational oscillation therewith and a vane projecting radially from the outer side of said body;

an annular hydraulic chamber in said housing concentric with said chamber axis, through which said vane oscillates with said rotor, said vane being disposed in substantial fluid sealing relation to the wall of said hydraulic chamber;

a radial wall. extending radially across said hydraulic chamber defining with said vane a first hydraulic chamber space at one side of said vane and a second hydraulic chamber space on the opposite side of said vane; and

a reversing valve operated by said rotor at the ends of its oscillation stroke bringing said water inlet in communication with said first chamber space and said water outlet in communication with said second chamber space at one end of the oscillation stroke of said rotor and bringing said water inlet in communication with said second chamber space and said water outlet in communication with said said 'inlet and outlet comprise passages opening to said valve opening, i said valve is slidable in said valve opening for movement in the direction of said first chamber space to a first limiting position wherein said valve communicates said outlet to said first chamber space and said inlet to said second chamber space and for movement in the direction of said second chamber space to a second limiting position wherein said valve communicates said outlet to said second chamber space and said inlet to said first chamber space, and

said rotor includes valve operating means on said vane engageable with said valve for shifting the latter from one position to the other at the ends of the rotor stroke.

3. A hydraulic waste disposal device according to claim 2 wherein:

said valve operating means comprise resilient means projecting from opposite sides of said vane in positions to engage the ends of said valve at the ends of said rotor stroke.

4. A hydraulic waste disposal device according to claim 3 wherein:

said comminuting means further comprise a fixed cutter in said chamber disposed in sliding contact with one side of said movable cutter and having openings through which waste. passes, and said cutters have coacting comminuting elements. 5. A hydraulic waste disposal device comprising: a housing having a waste inlet, a waste outlet,- and an intervening comminution chamber; waste comminuting means extending across said chamber between said inlet and outlet including a fixed cutter plate secured to said housing and a moveable comminuting member having an oscillatory cutter plate mounted on said fixed cutter plate in sliding contact with one face thereof for rotational oscillation on an axis normal to'the faceof said fixed plate, said cutter plates having openings therein through which waste passes and coacting cutting edges and comminuting protrusions, and

one cutter plate having clearance grooves for the comminuting protrusions on the other cutter plate; and

a positive displacement oscillatory hydraulic motor driving said oscillatory cutter plate.

'6. A hydraulic waste disposal device according to claim 5 including:

a wiper extending diametrically across the waste inlet side of said fixed cutter plate and disposed in sliding contact with said fixed plate, said oscillatory cutter seating against the waste outlet side of the fixed plate, and

means connecting said oscillatory cutter plate and said wiper for oscillation in unison.

7. A hydraulic waste claim 6 wherein:

said oscillatory cutter and wiper oscillateon the central longitudinal axis of said chamber,

said rotor comprises an annular body coaxial with and secured to the outer edge of said oscillatory cutter plate, and a vane projecting radially from the outer side of said rotor body,

said housing contains an annular hydraulic'chamber concentric with said chamber axis through which said vane oscillates with said rotor, said vane being disposed in substantial fluid sealing relation to the wall of said hydraulic chamber,

a radial wall extends radially across said hydraulic chamber defining with said vane a first hydraulic chamber space at one side of said vane and a second hydraulic chamber space at the opposite side of said vane, and I a valve operated by said rotor at the ends of its oscillation stroke brings said water inlet in communication with said first chamber space and said water outlet in communication with said second chamber space at one end of said stroke and brings said water inlet in communication with said second chamber spaceiand said water outlet in communication with said first chamber space at the other end of said stroke.

disposal device according to 

1. A hydraulic waste disposal device comprising: a generally cylindrical housing having a waste inlet, a waste outlet, and an intervening comminution chamber; a cutter extending across said chamber, comprising a circular cutting plate having openings therein through which waste passes, and adapted for rotational oscillatory motion on the central longitudinal axis of said chamber; hydraulic motor means for driving said cutter, comprising a rotor having an annular body secured to the outer edge of said cutter plate for concentric rotational oscillation therewith and a vane projecting radially from the outer side of said body; an annular hydraulic chamber in said housing concentric with said chamber axis, through which said vane oscillates with said rotor, said vane being disposed in substantial fluid sealing relation to the wall of said hydraulic chamber; a radial wall extending radially across said hydraulic chamber defining with said vane a first hydraulic chamber space at one side of said vane and a second hydraulic chamber space on the opposite side of said vane; and a reversing valve operated by said rotor at the ends of its oscillation stroke bringing said water inlet in communication with said first chamber space and said water outlet in communication with said second chamber space at one end of the oscillation stroke of said rotor and bringing said water inlet in communication with said second chamber space and said water outlet in communication with said first chamber space at the opposite end of said stroke.
 2. A hydraulic waste disposal device according to claim 1 wherein: said housing contains a valve opening extending across said radial wall from one chamber space to the other and containing said valve, said inlet and outlet comprise passages opening to said valve opening, said valve is slidable in said valve opening for movement in the direction of said first chamber space to a first limiting position wherein said valve communicates said outlet to said first chamber space and said inlet to said second chamber space and for movement in the direction of said second chamber space to a second limiting position wherein said valve communicates said outlet to said second chamber space and said inlet to said first chamber space, and said rotor includes valve operating means on said vane engageable with said valve for shifting the latter from one position to the other at the ends of the rotor stroke.
 3. A hydraulic waste disposal device according to claim 2 wherein: said valve operating means comprise resilient means projecting from opposite sides of said vane in positions to engage the ends of said valve at the ends of said rotor stroke.
 4. A hydraulic waste disposal device according to claim 3 wherein: said comminuting means further comprise a fixed cutter in said chamber disposed in sliding contact with one side of said movable cutter and having openings through which waste passes, and said cutters have coacting comminuting elements.
 5. A hydraulic waste disposal device comprising: a housing having a waste inlet, a waste outlet, and an intervening comminution chamber; waste comminuting means extending across said chamber between said inlet and outlet including a Fixed cutter plate secured to said housing and a moveable comminuting member having an oscillatory cutter plate mounted on said fixed cutter plate in sliding contact with one face thereof for rotational oscillation on an axis normal to the face of said fixed plate, said cutter plates having openings therein through which waste passes and coacting cutting edges and comminuting protrusions, and one cutter plate having clearance grooves for the comminuting protrusions on the other cutter plate; and a positive displacement oscillatory hydraulic motor driving said oscillatory cutter plate.
 6. A hydraulic waste disposal device according to claim 5 including: a wiper extending diametrically across the waste inlet side of said fixed cutter plate and disposed in sliding contact with said fixed plate, said oscillatory cutter seating against the waste outlet side of the fixed plate, and means connecting said oscillatory cutter plate and said wiper for oscillation in unison.
 7. A hydraulic waste disposal device according to claim 6 wherein: said oscillatory cutter and wiper oscillate on the central longitudinal axis of said chamber, said rotor comprises an annular body coaxial with and secured to the outer edge of said oscillatory cutter plate, and a vane projecting radially from the outer side of said rotor body, said housing contains an annular hydraulic chamber concentric with said chamber axis through which said vane oscillates with said rotor, said vane being disposed in substantial fluid sealing relation to the wall of said hydraulic chamber, a radial wall extends radially across said hydraulic chamber defining with said vane a first hydraulic chamber space at one side of said vane and a second hydraulic chamber space at the opposite side of said vane, and a valve operated by said rotor at the ends of its oscillation stroke brings said water inlet in communication with said first chamber space and said water outlet in communication with said second chamber space at one end of said stroke and brings said water inlet in communication with said second chamber space and said water outlet in communication with said first chamber space at the other end of said stroke. 